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Jared Allen is Vikings' only Pro Bowl selection

By Jeremy Fowlerjfowler@pioneerpress.com

Posted:
12/28/2011 12:01:00 AM CST

Updated:
12/28/2011 12:05:45 AM CST

LANDOVER, MD - DECEMBER 24: Defensive end Jared Allen #69 of the Minnesota Vikings celebrates a sack on quarterback Rex Grossman #8 of the Washington Redskins (not pictured) in the second quarter at FedEx Field on December 24, 2011 in Landover, Maryland. The Minnesota Vikings won, 33-26. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) (Patrick Smith)

One of the Vikings' only constants in a dire season has been rewarded for his banner performance.

Defensive end Jared Allen is Minnesota's lone representative on the NFC's Pro Bowl team, marking his fourth trip to Hawaii after recording a league-leading 18-1/2 sacks through 15 games.

With a playing style as energetic as his personality, Allen is fourth on the active sacks list with 101-1/2 since entering the league in 2004. Three sacks Sunday against the Chicago Bears in the Metrodome would give Allen the franchise's single-season record, currently held by Chris Doleman with 21 sacks in 1989.

"My desire is that I literally want to be the best player on the field every single down," Allen said two weeks ago. "And I want the guy across from me on the line of scrimmage, win or lose, to know at the end he had his hands full that day. I try to play the game the way the old-timers would have appreciated it."

The Pro Bowl roster is voted on by players, coaches and fans. The game will be played Jan. 29 in Honolulu and televised by NBC.

This is the second consecutive year the Vikings have one Pro Bowl player on the original roster. Running back Adrian Peterson, whose chances were derailed by a high ankle sprain and a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee, was the only Viking on last year's team.

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Cornerback Antoine Winfield, defensive tackle Kevin Williams and linebacker E.J. Henderson were named to the Pro Bowl as replacements, though Williams didn't play because of the birth of his child.

Conversely, eight players from the 2009 Vikings made the original roster.

Wide receiver Percy Harvin (1,184 total offensive yards) and center John Sullivan could be candidates for an alternate spot this year.

Peterson, a four-time Pro Bowler, finishes the season with 970 yards in 12 games, two of which he left early because of injury.

Allen proved last year's Pro Bowl-less performance was an aberration, starting this season with 11-1/2 sacks through seven games after making one sack during the same stretch in 2010.

He has proved versatile this season with 61 tackles, four forced fumbles and one interception to complement his sack total. Allen has a half-sack lead over Philadelphia's Jason Babin and Dallas' DeMarcus Ware with one game left. Allen has recorded at least a half-sack in all but three games this season.

"I've enjoyed watching him grow up and become the man that he is along with being a great player," coach Leslie Frazier said earlier this month. "It's fun to watch him play. He's going to say some things from time to time. That's part of it.

"But his intent, his heart, is always in the right place. He wants to do the right thing to help us win. The passion that he plays with and the fact he wants to win so bad, as a coach, you've got to love that."

Hutchinson done: The Vikings placed seven-time Pro Bowl left guard Steve Hutchinson on injured reserve and replaced him on the 53-man roster with rookie running back Jordan Todman off San Diego's practice squad.

Hutchinson, 34, suffered a concussion against New Orleans on Dec. 18 and hasn't returned. He started every game from 2003-09 before missing the final five games of 2010 with an elbow injury.

Due $6.68 million in 2012, Hutchinson could be asked to restructure his contract.

Weekly honors: Gerhart is a nominee for the FedEx Ground player of the week, while safety Mistral Raymond is a candidate for Pepsi rookie of the week honors.

Gerhart rushed for 109 yards on 11 carries against the Redskins, including a 67-yard run. Raymond had six tackles, two passes defended and an interception, the Vikings' first in 10 games.